Curriculum
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Content focuses on advanced skill sets to include creative problem solving, critical thinking, research and presentation skills, as well as the ability to create diverse projects both alone and in collaboration with others. Instruction encompasses unique components: teachers utilize lecture, debate, small groups, individualized learning, community resources, and field trips. Field trips expose children to the wealth of knowledge contained in the local community, demonstrate the many ways to collect data, and broaden and deepen the skills and interests of each child. Hands-on learning is an integral part of the curriculum, and field trips expose students to real-world examples of how learning is applied. Because children may excel in either language/reading or
mathematics in the elementary years, placement in specialized skill groups allows
self-pacing and acceleration. The child’s social and emotional level of
development determines which classroom they will join, while ability determines
the child’s placement in mathematics and reading groups. Renaissance Academy models a “spiral” and interdisciplinary
curriculum. A spiral curriculum maintains consistent content throughout the
divisions, but increases in depth, detail, and critical thinking as each child
progresses through each division. There is a fluid continuity in the spiral
curriculum that enables the students’ understanding of relationships. An
interdisciplinary curriculum integrates many different subjects into one lesson,
reinforcing these relationships. Language Arts and Reading - This curriculum centers on the integration and "whole" process of reading from a variety of genres, vocabulary expansion, the proper application of grammar, spelling through introduction, practice, use of words and developing writing skills (when applicable, proofreading, editing, rewriting, and publishing). Our instructors are responsible for creating a learning environment where their students gain information from the local community, resource people, other students, and textbooks. Students then have the opportunity to analyze, strategize, and apply the knowledge they have acquired. Students must have higher level thinking skills to achieve in these subject areas.
Science and Social Studies- Renaissance Academy provides meaningful investigations of Social Studies through the rotational study of U.S. History, World Cultures, and Early Civilizations. In Science, the Academy rotates through Earth Science, Life, and Physical Science. The curriculum sets up real life connections for students. They
study topics through a series of events designed to investigate newly acquired
knowledge and use higher level thought processes that lead to understanding
larger generalizations. Through hands on experiences, students predict, infer,
test, make generalizations, and transfer the knowledge gained in these subject
areas. Resource Classes- In addition to the core classes,
Renaissance requires students to take classes in Art, Drama, Spanish and
Physical Education. In Art/Drama, children participate in experiences that
nurture their creativity, imagination, and performance skills. Students engage
in improvisation, voice projection, pantomime, color mixing, oil painting, line
drawing, and Art History, to mention just a few. Spanish is taken by all
divisions, with a focus on Hispanic culture and conversational Spanish. PE
introduces children to various sports where they learn proper sportsmanship. Our
goal is that students understand the benefit of establishing life long habits of
healthful nutrition and exercise. Computer classes teach our students word
processing skills, technology as a research tool, and basic programming. |
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Our curriculum is intellectually challenging, and emphasizes analysis, research,
experiential learning, and advanced subject matter relating to the students’
specific interests and talents (i.e., exploring related topics within academic disciplines).